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Re: How much time do you want to spend setting up camp?
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 3:35 pm
by Ricof4e
I guess each to his own. I am one of those OCD people who cannot relax until my camp is set up properly. Besides, nothing is worse than sitting down with a beer after setting up camp, only for my wife to request the table to be moved elsewhere...
30 mins
Re: How much time do you want to spend setting up camp?
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 4:21 pm
by HenriSteyn
With a van it can be 5 mins.
Stop
Open door
Lift roof
Pull out fridge.
Unfold chairs
Done
The longer you stay the more stuff gets packed out for leisure.
30 mins
Re: How much time do you want to spend setting up camp?
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 4:30 pm
by LesseW
LX wrote:I arrive at the Campsite around 1 am, it takes me less than 15 min to set up, and packing up can take up to 30 min,
Like the AGM where you did not pitch (no pun intended) at all...
Re: How much time do you want to spend setting up camp?
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 4:33 pm
by LesseW
There is some fun and excitement setting up camp when not overlanding.
30min max though but with a cold one the minute I stop...
30 mins
Re: How much time do you want to spend setting up camp?
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 4:40 pm
by Mad Manny
Many years ago there was a similar Thread on another non 4x4 Forum.
It started off well, but as guys posted, so the set up times came down & the flow of BS increased.
- much as is happening here.
In another 8 posts guys will start giving set up times in seconds.
Nobody, but nobody sets up for a 2 or 3 night camp in under 15 minutes - that just kak talk...
But if you want to argue - be warned I'll set up a challenge & we'll time it & put it on Youtube.
Firstly, we need to agree when the stopwatch starts.
I'd say from when you've arrived, everyone has rushed to the toilets, you've returned found the correct spot & pulled the handbrake & switched off.
The process above can take 10 to15 minutes alone, btw.
Then we start the stop watch.... tick tock. tick tock.
In the nest post I'll share my timeline...
Re: How much time do you want to spend setting up camp?
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 4:40 pm
by Mad Manny
Following on from Post # 20...
OK, once we are positioned & ready, the stop watch starts & we get going:
* Level & unhitch trailer.
* Set up trailer.
* Lay ground sheets.
* Pop tent.
* Fold out bed.
* Hammer in pegs & guide ropes.
* Make bed.
* Plug in to the power supply
* Set up Kitchen awning with poles & pegs (If there is shade we skip thisstep.
* Set up tables, dish-washing area, lights etc.
* Set up chairs.
The fastest we've timed is 45 minutes.
But usually this takes twice as long as you land up stopping to greet friends & fallow campers.
Breaking up, because we clean & pack properly, takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
Re: How much time do you want to spend setting up camp?
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 4:52 pm
by Mad Manny
I'll highlight everyone's times on bold red - where no time was given I'll use 30 minutes.
Should be interesting... 
Re: How much time do you want to spend setting up camp?
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 5:06 pm
by Mad Manny
Unless you have a fully kitted RV - you cannot comfortably camp for 3 or more nights on a 15 minute set up...
Re: How much time do you want to spend setting up camp?
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 5:25 pm
by Mike Nel
I will accept this challenge
Ill hook the Lapa and drive 5 meters forward in my yard. I will set up a camera and start timing from the time I get out the car.
I will set it up alone and not with the usual help from my wife.
Should be interesting to see ho long it takes
Re: How much time do you want to spend setting up camp?
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 7:01 pm
by Paul#25
My set up time ranges from 45 minutes upwards with the caravan. A lot depends on the campsite and terrain which can add lots of time especially if the ground is rocky. Using a battery drill will a long thin masonry bit helps. If its just a nighstop with the caravan then as Henri mentioned, it can be a few minutes to open the caravan door and take the chairs and table out. The bed is already made up. Nothing else needs to be taken out or done.
45 mins+
Re: How much time do you want to spend setting up camp?
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2020 7:38 am
by Wooky
Mad Manny wrote: ↑Tue Aug 04, 2020 5:06 pm
Unless you have a fully kitted RV - you cannot comfortably camp for 3 or more nights on a 15 minute set up...
Manny that has to do with what a person is comfortable with.
Me, I am happy to spend a month camping with nothing much more than my 2 man hiking tent, a fly-sheet for rain cover and my chair along with a small table ( that's as far as housing needs go). In most instances I don't even bother with the rain fly and just pitch the tent.
For just overnighting I go with a goretex Bivvy bag under the stars or sleep in the car
But then what I am happy with would not suite most people.
So let me edit your post for you....Unless
I have a fully kitted RV -
I cannot comfortably camp for 3 or more nights on a 15 minute set up
Because some of us can....
Re: How much time do you want to spend setting up camp?
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2020 7:43 am
by KurtG
Manny is the Kim Kardashian of camping in SA
Re: How much time do you want to spend setting up camp?
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2020 8:21 am
by Ricof4e
Wooky wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2020 7:38 am
Mad Manny wrote: ↑Tue Aug 04, 2020 5:06 pm
Unless you have a fully kitted RV - you cannot comfortably camp for 3 or more nights on a 15 minute set up...
Manny that has to do with what a person is comfortable with.
Me, I am happy to spend a month camping with nothing much more than my 2 man hiking tent, a fly-sheet for rain cover and my chair along with a small table ( that's as far as housing needs go). In most instances I don't even bother with the rain fly and just pitch the tent.
For just overnighting I go with a goretex Bivvy bag under the stars or sleep in the car
But then what I am happy with would not suite most people.
So let me edit your post for you....Unless
I have a fully kitted RV -
I cannot comfortably camp for 3 or more nights on a 15 minute set up
Because some of us can....
Throw in a wife and two kids (3 & 5 years old) and that 15min will easily turn into 60min - regardless whether it is for one night or 15 nights.
Re: How much time do you want to spend setting up camp?
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2020 8:22 am
by henris
I don't setup camp. I just squat in my car.
Sent from my SM-J400F using Tapatalk
Re: How much time do you want to spend setting up camp?
Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2020 8:26 am
by Ricof4e
In 2019 when we camped at the coast for 10 days, even this took about an hour to set up.
With toddlers sitting in a booster seat for 9 hours before setting up camp, trust me, it takes that long.
The tent and trailer part is quick - 30 min max.
But the things that take time is unpacking of clothes, making the beds, keeping the kid's from dumping buckets of sand in the tent, setting up the kitchen and unpacking all the food.